Falling in Love with Romance - Romancing the Hop Giveaway

If you could peek back in time and see me at my desk as a high school student, I might appear to be studiously pouring over a textbook. What I was really looking at was this:

One day a classmate handed me the first volume of the romance manga Mars (by Fuyumi Soryo), and I was hooked. That picture up there is a snapshot I took of a copy of the first volume I've had since highschool. I spent hours reading romance mangas (Japanese comic books) behind my textbooks, on the bus and at home. That's how I fell in love with the romance genre - later, as an adult, I began reading romance novels, too.

A few volumes of Mars - the back covers read 'Star-Crossed Lovers', 'Stolen Hearts' and 'Burned by an Old Flame'. I think it's obvious why I chose to pursue these instead of giving classes like government (blah!) my undivided attention. Years later, it still feels like time well-spent.

So that's how I fell in love with the romance genre. If you're here at my blog for Romancing the Hop, you're probably a romance lover too. How did you fall in love with the romance genre? Leave a comment - including your e-mail address - telling me how and you'll be entered in a random drawing for some fabulous prizes.

Prizes include:

1st Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet - winner's choice

2nd Prize: $130 Amazon or B&N gift card - winner's choice

3rd Prize: large swag pack (US only)

My Individual Prize: A signed, personalized paperback copy of my tattoo romance Hot Ink (see below)

My bestselling ebook Hot Ink came out in paperback this month. Here I am with my hands on Eric the sexy tattoo artist hero a copy. ;) In addition to being put in the running for the grand prizes, all commenters will also be included in a random drawing for a signed, personalized paperback copy of Hot Ink.

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'A delightful story of love, tattoos, responsibility, fate and taking chances.' -Manic Readers

'A lot of great sexual tension.' -Ms. Romantic Reads

  Mina never meant to fall for her sexy tattoo artist, Eric, or to become a model. But when she's asked to pose in a photo shoot for the Hot Ink tattoo studio, she can't say no. She finally gets a look at Eric's tattoos when they're cajoled into posing together, and in a few breathtaking moments, an on-camera kiss turns the passion they're asked to fake into something very real, leaving them both wanting more. The only problem is that Mina's not the glamour girl she looks like on the Hot Ink posters, or even in a tattoo magazine. She's only twenty-four, but being the sole guardian of her disabled younger sister has left her feeling much older. Will Eric still be interested when he gets to know the girl behind the ink and the make-up and finds out that she and her little sister are a package deal?

Also a bestselling ebook, available wherever ebooks are sold, such as:

Amazon      B&N      All Romance      Smashwords

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And for those who are interested in earning extra entries, here are some other things you can do:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for stopping by and being a part of Romancing the Hop! :)

Did you know?

A Taste of Honey, the third book in my bestselling Half Moon Shifters Series, releases on September 21st.

Find out more about my Half Moon Shifters Series and read free excerpts from all of my one-dozen + erotic romances at:

www.RanaeRose.com

Visit the other participating authors' blogs to earn more entries toward the grand prizes...

Official Release Date Info for A Taste of Honey

After conferring with my editor, the official release date for A Taste of Honey has been finalized!

Releasing September 21st, 2012

I know I haven't added the official blurb to my site yet - that's coming soon. If you're interested in all the latest updates as publication day approaches, you may want to check back regularly at the 'books' page on my website, or just keep an eye on my social media posts.

Sometime before release day, an excerpt will also be added to my site. 

And in other Half Moon Shifters news, I'll have more info on the upcoming print editions soon. :)

On another happy note, a couple of my books got some really lovely reviews yesterday. Spirited Away was reviewed and selected as a recommended read in All Romance eBooks' newsletter (read review here), and Hot Ink was reviewed by Manic Readers (read review here).

Lastly, you'll definitely want to stop by again this Friday / weekend - I'll be participating in the Romancing the Hop bloghop. We'll be giving away a tablet ereader and some serious book-shopping-spree giftcards! :)

Author Interview, Giveaway + Sleepy Hollow Series Reviews at Tammy's Two Cents Today

Today is one of those rare Sundays when I skip Six Sentence Sunday, but I've got something even better. Tammy from Tam's Two Cents book review blog has generously interviewed me, reviewed my Sleepy Hollow Series and is hosting a giveaway.

In the interview we talked about things like where I'm from, my guilty pleasure, why I love indie publishing so much, and of course, the Sleepy Hollow Series. Visit Tammy's blog to read the interview and book reviews + leave a comment if you'd like to be included in a random drawing for an ebook copy of Haunted Passions (Sleepy Hollow Book 2).

And Whiskey Dreams (prequel to Haunted Passions) is still free by the way, so if you haven't downloaded that yet, you can do so at just about any ebook retailer, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords.

Brom, John and Katrina - the stars of my Sleepy Hollow Series.

A highlight from Tammy's review of Haunted Passions:

"A spooky little love triangle, with a twist, all three participants are willing and able!  The intimacy between characters as well as plot and story are clearly defined and captivating; Rose has a knack for attention to detail..."

I've Got My Hands on a Sexy Tattoo Artist and Other Exciting News

Guess what?

Yep, my bestselling tattooed hero and heroine, Eric and Mina, are now in print. The paperback edition can be found at Amazon and B&N. And you can have the staff order in a copy for you at just about any brick and mortar bookstore too.

I bet you know which books of mine will be coming to print next -- the Half Moon Shifters Series! :) I'll have more news on those paperback editions soon.

Meanwhile, in other news, Lora Leigh's Reader Appreciation Weekend (RAW) is taking place next month (September 28th - 30th) in Pittsburgh, PA. I'll be one of the 23 attending authors and we're going to have a fabulous time. Just a few of the other authors who'll be there are Lora Leigh (of course!), Sylvia Day, Carrie Ann Ryan and Shayla Black. There will be dinners, a ball, dancing and book signings, among other things. If you're a reader in the Pittsburgh / PA area (or one who likes to travel) I hope to see you there! It's going to be a weekend to remember, spent with some of your favorite authors. If you're interested in learning more / viewing the schedule of events and maybe even registering, you can do so at: 

www.llraw.com

Six Sentence Sunday - Hot Ink

He squeezed her hand as he leaned forward and pressed a kiss against her mouth. It was soft and, in comparison to the way they’d kissed in his car several nights ago, light. His lips were hot from his coffee, just as she’d imagined them. Something inside her wavered as his heat suffused her, warming not just her lips, but her entire body. Maybe she should have resisted, but the rigidness she’d mustered up had gone out of her spine and shoulders and all she wanted to do was melt against him. When he pulled away, it was too soon. 

Since Hot Ink is coming out in paperback this week I thought I'd go back and chose a sweet kiss between my favorite tattooed hero and heroine for Six Sunday. Thanks for stopping by - hope you enjoyed. :)

Sleepy Hollow and Half Moon Shifters News

News today on my two favorite series. :)

First of all, my Sleepy Hollow books are now available in print! The paperback, Sleepy Hollow: Haunted Passions and Whiskey Dreams, contains both books and is now available from your favorite online book retailers (and you can ask for it at any brick-and-mortar bookstore, too).

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

As for the Half Moon Shifters series, I've got a big reveal coming up this week. I'll be unveiling the cover (and title) of Book 3, Ronnie's story, in my newsletter, which will go out on Friday. :) I'll post it to my website on Saturday. So yes, subscribers will see it first. If you're already a subscriber, you don't have to do anything - you can expect the newsletter in your inbox on Friday. If you're not and would like to sign up, you can do so here: http://ranaerose.com/index.php?p=1_18_Newsletter

Six Sentence Sunday - True Alpha

A shiver of anticipation raced down her spine, and she was hyper-aware of everything about him – the way his entire muscular body had gone tense, the hardness of his erection against her thigh and most of all, the hot rush of his breath against her face and neck.

“If you’re sure. I won’t make you take my mark if you don’t want it.”

       “Jack…” She wrapped her arms around his neck and did her best to draw him a little closer, though that was virtually impossible. “How could you ever think that I wouldn’t want anything you wanted to give me?” 

A Peek Inside the Print Edition of Sleepy Hollow: Haunted Passions and Whiskey Dreams

As you can see, I've got my print proof copy of Sleepy Hollow: Haunted Passions and Whiskey Dreams in hand. :)

I'm going to make some small adjustments to the book's layout, and then it will be available for purchase. I expect it to be available through Amazon and other venues within the next week. Meanwhile, here's a look inside...

The book's dedication.

"I love you" - a tiny peek at a moment I like in Haunted Passions.

Of course, the ebook editions of both Haunted Passions and Whiskey Dreams are already available, but I'm pleased to be able to offer this book in print, too. 

If you want the latest info on the print edition and when it becomes available, you can always check my website: www.ranaerose.com

Six Sentence Sunday - Haunted Passions

Then, John would slip quietly away and do what had to be done. Before snuffing out the candle, he took one last long look at Brom and Katrina, trying to burn the image into his mind. It wasn’t exactly how he wanted to remember them, with Katrina lying ill and Brom trying to shelter her from things he couldn’t help, but it would have to do. At least they were both wearing the crucifix necklaces he’d given them – he’d checked, and the fact offered a little comfort. 


There was a certain feeling in the air, as the moon replaced the sun – one that settled into John’s bones, allowing him to hear soft whispers of tonight, tonight on the light wind that blew outside, rushing against the house and causing the window to rattle ever so slightly in its casement. He was sure that no one else could hear it, not even Brom as he fell asleep – the sound was meant for him. It had always been meant for him, and he’d be damned if he let Katrina take his place.

Thanks for stopping by to check out my Sunday six from Haunted Passions, which will soon be in print. ;)

Coming Soon to Print...

I've had some reader requests for print editions of their favorite books of mine, and putting certain titles into print is something I've been meaning to see to for a while. Well, that time is finally now. :)

The first title that will be available as a paperback is Sleepy Hollow: Haunted Passions and Whiskey Dreams, with additional works to follow. As you probably guessed by the title, the Sleepy Hollow paperback will contain both the novel Haunted Passions and the novella-length prequel, Whiskey Dreams.

Here's the book's entire cover:

And the covers for the two separate ebooks:

 

One of the reasons why I chose my Sleepy Hollow books to go into print first is because they're personal favorites of mine among my published works. Plus, at a combined length of 100,000 words, it's a great length for a print edition.

I expect the print edition of Sleepy Hollow: Haunted Passions and Whiskey Dreams, to be available for purchase within the next week or two. You can always check my site (www.ranaerose.com) for the latest news and updates.